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7 DRILLS
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5 vs 5

Pitch 20m x 20m. All players wearing tag belts Start the game with a free pass, defenders must be 7m back at the start Attacking players must try to run past the defenders to score a try. If tagged, the attacker must pass the ball backwards to a team-mate. After a tackle, the defenders must give the tag belt back, stay on their own side of the ball and NOT intercept or obstruct the pass.

Tag Rugby

7 v 3

Groups of ten One ball per group Defenders equidistant, can only move forwards and backwards Attackers bunched to start Once at the end turn straight around and repeat

Decision making

Channels

1) Run down channels 1/2 / 3/4 pace. 2) No forward passes.3) Use 6 balls / 6 runners at the same time.Variation1) Speed it up.2) Sidestep within the channel.3) Sidestep into another channel.

Agility & Running Skills

Hands up / Hands Down

Lets just get the ball moving clockwise for a while, just to get the ball moving through the hands. After a minute or two, lets switch the direction of the ball. After another minute, tell them the ball can go in any direction, but...... The receiver must have their hands in the air. The passer cannot pass to a player directly beside them. The passer can dummy, if a player takes their hand down they are out. The reciever can take their hands down to catch a ball if it is coming their way. You can also play this game using a word like RUGBY. Each time a play makes a mistake they get a letter. The loser is the first player to get all the letters that spell RUGBY. Some teams and coaches have more interesting and colorful words to spell - I'll leave this to you. You can make this game a little harder by reducing the size of the circle or by asking the players to touch their toes before catching the ball. You can also increase the number of balls in the circle. Have fun with this!

Passing

Lineout: Hit 2

7-man line; throw to 2; lift, catch drive.

Lineout

Passing Race

Using just one hand they should pass the ball to each other. The pass should come from on, or behind the hip. They should make 10 passes on one hand, and then 10 passes on the opposite hand. That's it, lets get going - it's a race.  Any dropped balls - and your group has to start again. That's it, get working.

Handling

Simple Passing Exercise

Tell your players the follow..... The first two players at each coach will advance, attacking the cone to their left, in the middle of the training area. The players should split as they run, increasing the distance between them. When they get as far as the middle cone, they should then pass. The reciever then passes to the first reciever on the cone they are approaching.

Passing

Up and Down

Tell them the following...... Each attack will be up and down, up the left and down the right side of the cones. Eack attack will see the ball move down the line once. Run out to far cone and back - 1/2 pace - no forward passes. Run out to third cone and back - jog - 3/4 pace back. Run out to second cone and back - fast out - fast back. Off-load the ball to the next attacking line - they do the same. That's it, get working. Refer to the coaching points in order to help your players improve.

Passing

Tackle Challenge Sevens - Rugb...

The exercise stand clockwise, with the first player going from the bottom left cone. The defender must tackle that player to the ground. As soon as that tackle is complete, the attacker quickly clears the area, and the defenders gets to their feet. The next attack goes right away. This pattern repeats, with each new attacker coming forward from a new cone, and then rejoining the back of the line on the opposite side. The idea is for the defender to be tested time after time, in quick succession. The ball carrier can try to evade contact. After 1 minute, change the defender.

General

Pass and Support Sevens - Rugb...

Give each training area one ball and tell the players the following...... Lets just get the ball moving down the line. Give the player at the start of one of the lines a ball, tell the line to advnce using laterial passing - with the last player in each line passing the ball to the first player in the opposite line. After some time (your call on how long this should be). Tell the players that, with the exception of the first player in each line, every reciever will not be able to pass the ball until touched on the shoulder by the player that passed them the ball. Every passer must follow their pass, touching the reciever on the shoulder to release the next pass. After the supporting player has made their touch, and the ball has been passed, they should return to their original channel. Players should change positions in the line following each attack.

General

Game To Coach Depth Sevens - R...

Four attackers, two defenders in quite a small playing area - trying to find space.The aim is for each team of four to try to score as many 'tries' as they can consecutively. Failure to score means the team of four changes over to the next team.Touch rugby game play.Attacking four players are aiming to touch the ball down on an end line.Defenders are aiming to touch the attackers.

General

Quick Hands - Warm Up Sevens -...

Within a group there are two groups of 4 attackers and one chaser/scrum half. At the middle point, marked by a cones, the scrum half moves the ball to the first attacking line. The scrum half firstly tracks the progress of the ball, as the exercise progresses - the scrum half should apply more and more pressure to the ball carrier - working up to the point of becoming a full on defender. When the ball reaches the opposite end of the grid, the last player in the line sets the ball down. The scrum half then feeds the ball to the next attacking line, fulfilling their own role within the exercise. The opposite attacking line should realign in preparation for the next attack. The tempo of this exercise should be high.

General

Keep Passing Sevens - Rugby Dr...

Tell your players the following..... 3 players start on the right cones. The remaining 3 players will be running, they start at the top of the grid. The runner take the first ball off the player standing at the first cone, they pass it down the line while advancing to the second cone. At the same time the player on the cone, who passed the first ball, runs to the second cone on a loop to retake the ball. They remain at that cone for the runners to return. The same thing happens at the second and third cones. When the attack gets to the bottom of the grid, and they have finished all 3 lateral passing tasks - they turn and go again. Change the runners and players on the cones when you're ready.

General

Keep The Ball Game Sevens - Ru...

Tell your players the following: One group of two players will be defenders, you might want to give them bibs. The attackers just need to keep the ball moving without getting touched while holding the ball. The passes can be forward. Attackers can move around the training area. If a player gets touched while holding the ball they and their partner become the defenders - the old defenders become attackers. If the ball is dropped, the pass is bad, or goes outside the training area - the player that made the mistake and their partner become the new defenders, replacing the old defence. This should be fun, but players should strive to control the ball, moving it into space and away from the defence.

General

Fast And Pressured Sevens - Ru...

Tell your players the following...... There will be one runner. 1 player, static, on each cone. 4 players on the cones in total. There will also be two players in defence, they will have a tackle/ruck pad each. The defenders will be 3 meters in from the start of the grid, the second defender 7 meters behind the first. The defenders can move left and right, but not backward and forward. There will be a ball on the first left cone, and on the second right cone. The player at the first cone with the ball will pass the ball to the runner, who avoids the defender and passes the ball to the reciever on the opposite first cone. The runner then catches the second ball, passed by the player on the second cones. The runner passes the ball to the opposite reciever, avoid contact with the defender. The runner then turns and does the same again - the defender steps back a bit. Don't forget to change the defenders, proving all players will the chance to attack.

General

Loaded Sevens: Touch Sevens - ...

Tell your players the following...... The team with 7 players will be in attack for the first half. Normal 7 rules apply. If the ball is turned or knocked on etc. the attack will get the ball back again and can restart with a free kick. Play. Change the attacking team, switching one of the current attacking players.

General

Wide Passing Lines Sevens - Ru...

The two feeders should be 15 meters apart and will........ Feed the left most attacking unit with a ball, they will move forward at pace passing down the line and setting the ball down when it hits the last receiver. The first feeder will without delay pass the ball onto the right attacking unit, they will do the same as the left attacking unit, on their side of the pitch. Both attacking lines should realign and take a ball from the second feeder, before turning and working their way up the pitch, running the same exercise. Players should change their position in the line.

General

Attack/Defend Big Time Sevens ...

Tell your players the following...... Players will standing at the midway point of the playing area, about 25 meters in. Tell each team which direction they are playing. Set the ball on the ground in front of the players. If you call 1 then team one is in attack and they should pick the ball up, if you should 2 then team 2 is in attack and they should pick the ball up. The non attacking team is in defence. Normal rules of sevens apply. However, before each team can start their attack/defence, they must all run to their own try line and back. When the attack is over, all players return to the midway point to start again. That's it, lets play! Make sure that you give both teams a chance to attack and defend.

General

Ruck, Ruck, and Ruck Again Sev...

Tell your players the following..... Both the pad and attacking units will jog within the grid, the players in the attacking units don't have to stay together, but must work together on the coaches call. When the coach blows the whistle the attacking units must locate a pad, and hit that pad creating a ruck. The first player, the ball carrier hit, the second player rucks over, and the third player picks up the ball calling the rest of the players out of the ruck, they start jogging again. The second defending player works to steel the ball as soon first attacking player hits. The pad holding defender can also drop their pad and compete for the ball.

General

Building The Defence 1 Sevens ...

Tell your players the following......... The coach will call a number e.g. 1. That attacking group must attack, aiming to score a try at the opposite end of the grid. The defence must try to stop them. Simple as that - except the number calls will be quick - there will be no delays between attacks, so the defence must be Sharpe and respond quickly to what they see. That's it - lets play. Don't forget to change the defenders.

General

Passing Reps Sevens - Rugby Dr...

The sequence of passing on this exercise is as following...... P2 passes to P1, who passes to P4. As the same time P3 passes to P2 who passes to P1, who passes to P3. P1 passes to P3 , and so the exercise continues. There should be no delay in passes.

General

Quick Passing To Space Sevens ...

Give each training area one ball and tell the players the following...... One of the attacking lines takes the ball. They simply attack, moving the ball through the hands - lateral passing only. The defenders (there will be three), mark the first three attacks, they leave the forth free. Defenders can move up and down, left and right, but must leave channel 4 open. Defender start 10 meters back. The ball must go through all four attacking hands. Don't forget to switch the attackers and defenders.

General

Wide Attack Sevens - Rugby Dri...

Start with the left most attacking unit taking on the 2 defenders in front of them. When they get past, they pass the ball to the link, who then passes to the opposite attacking unit, who then take on the first 2 defenders. When they get past, they pass the ball out to the link, who passes the ball to the opposite attacking unit, who should now be ready to take on the next two defenders. And so the exercise continues up the pitch. Don't forget to change the attackers and defenders after each completed run up the pitch. The attack should finish by scoring a try!

General

Building Speed Onto The Ball S...

The speed of the pass should be reasonable and provide the interceptors with a chance of success. Tell the players the following.... The rest of the players will start one cone back from the passers, each standing one behind the other. The first player will go, aiming to intercept the flat pass. Then the next, until all players have intercepted the pass. They then move another cone back - to do the same. They keep moving back until they don't have enough speed to get onto the ball. Don't forget to give the passers a chance, they could be injured players who you might want to keep busy with simple passing.

General

Passing & Evasion Sevens - Rug...

Tell your players the following..... Trackers will pass the ball and tag the evades. Evade simply avoid getting tagged with the ball. If tagged, a player must join the tracking team. They must remove their bib. That's it - play.

General

7 v 3 Decision making - Rugby ...

Groups of tenOne ball per groupDefenders equidistant, can only move forwards and backwardsAttackers bunched to startOnce at the end turn straight around and repeat

General

Attacking Skills version 2 Sev...

Tell your players the following...... Players will attack in teams of 3, each attacking unit will have their own ball. At the pads, the ball carrier must hit and roll or hit and spin or sidestep. They will then face 3 v 2 situations following each pad. Their objective is to get to the other side, without making a mistake, and score a try! The following group of 3 can go when they feel there is a reasonable gap between the attacking units. Don't forget to change your players about.

General

Hold, Press, Push Sevens - Rug...

Tell your players the following..... The first should of 3 will PUSH, drifting across and HIT the pads together. They will then advance and do the same at the next 2 sets of pads before returning to their start position to go again. The second group of defenders can go when they feel there is enough space between them and the first group. That's it - lets get to work. Don't forget to change the defenders and bag holders.

General

Scrum Half - Shotgun Alley Sev...

Explain to thescrum halfs that they are to attempt to pass the ball at the attackers and attempt to hit them below the shoulders. It won't be a completed pass as the attackers are just trying to avoid getting hit. The scrum halfs can move sideways along the edge of grid, however, cannot move forward into the grid. The attackers can attack when they like, and if hit they can be out - or have more than one life. When an scrum half makes it through the grid successfully, with out being directly hit by a pass, they wait at the other end till all the other attackers make it. The scrum halfs must make their passes/hits from the groud.

General

Ruck - PRESS UP - PART 2 Seven...

Tell the players the following...... The first group of 3 go first. The first player hits in on the bag with their shoulder, driving forward and placing their hands on the ground in a press-up position over the ball.The second player covers him, and the third acts as a SH moving the ball to the next set of 3. The next 3 player unit does the same, moving the ball back to the first 3 player unit - which should have reset ready to go again.

General

Pace Onto The Ball Sevens - Ru...

Tell your players the following..... Every receiver following the the ball carrier should lay on the ground, they can get up only when the ball carrier has advanced 1 meter, that is the person that will pass to them. They continue down the line, and when the ball gets to the end of the line it is passed to the first receiver in the next line.

General

SH Passing Skills Sevens - Rug...

The passer passes the first ball, from the ground, to the catcher, who sets the ball down. the passer then run around the first cone to the second set of balls, passing the next ball from the ground to the catcher. They then repeat this until all of the ball are passed. The catcher can time the exercise, and rate the accuracy and distance of each pass. The catcher and passer switch roles at the end of the exercise, and all balls are reset.

General

Switch Back Flick Sevens - Rug...

The ball carrier advances, running diagonally across the grid with the player on the other cone doing the same, but with a delay. The ball carrier can then switch or back flick the ball to the supporting runner. The supporting runner passes the ball back to the nearest player waiting from the next group, when they get the ball, they go. That's it, play.

General

Rugby Gaelic Football Sevens -...

Tell the players the following laws....... One team will be attacking, the ball carrying team. The other will be a defending team. Defending players mark attacking players. The ball is passed by kicking, and can travel in any direction. Players try to catch the ball in the air, and have 3 seconds to make the pass. They can take 3 steps in that time. Tries are scored in the usual way. Players can compete for lose balls. Players should use all of the space available, and should move the ball to space. You can make this game a little harder by saying that attacking players must catch the passed ball in the air, if they do not, then the ball is turned over to the other team.

General

7 DRILL CATEGORIES
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Decision making Drills
Practices for Juniors
Sevens Drills
Decision making Drills
Practices for Juniors
Sevens Drills
7 SESSIONS
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Quick Ruck for Quick Ball

Quick rucking that produces quick ball is the first step towards a dangerous attacking side. Use this session to get your team rucking quickly, efficiently and effectively!

Jackal at the Tackle - Technique and Confidence Session

Can your players tackle and jackal? Use this session to introduce your players to the jackal and improve their technique in 1v1 and game situations

The breakdown: Turning the Ball Over - Part Two

Teach your players to make the right decisions in the breakdown - don't lose possession when your players go to ground.

The breakdown: Turning the Ball Over - Part one

Hard work doesn't stop! Teach your players to get back to their feet quickly and compete to win the turnover

Sevens - Options in the Attack

3 simple options to improve your players' decision-making in the attack and get them past opponents gain line!

Sevens Rugby: Attacking the Space - Pass, Follow and Support

Get your players to use the width of the pitch and play intelligently, offering wide support options in this sevens rugby session.

Continuity Play - Passing your way out of the tackle

Help your side avoid the breakdown by focusing on their continuity skills - keeping the ball moving and starting to work on contact!

Mismatch Gold - Making the most of the numbers

Create space by shifting the focus of your attack and practice exploiting the mismatch with this Sevens Session

Sevens Rugby: Options in the Attack - Greater Pace

Give your players three simple options to improve their decision-making in the attack and get them past the opposition's gain line!
7 ANSWERS
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In 7's rugby, what is the best...

In 7's rugby, what is the best way to bind in the scrum? Is it the same at 15's, I've seen props bind onto one another then the hooker sits in the middle but slightly back from the props. What is the advantage of doing this?

Archived User Coach

Please can someone help me coaching rugby 7 vith DVD?

Please can someone help me coaching rugby 7 vith DVD or books. That help me and my colegges to coach children U18.

Archived User Coach

Please supply me with the positional play for a No8 at the maul,defence,and attack

Ask a question and have it answered by Coaches from around the world and Sportplan's team of Experts.

Buddy Walker Coach, New Zealand

What are the best drills to use for training for sevens??

What are the best drills to use for training for sevens?

Archived User Coach

A way to develop a great physical performance on rugby?

A way to develop a great physical performance on rugby 7's. The best trainning program to reach a good condition?

Mauricio F Coelho Coach, Brazil

Are there specific drills to enhance the specific skills?

Are there specific drills to enhance the specific skills set for Rugby 7's? Ideas?

Archived User Coach

With the huge succes of rugby 7s in the last years?

With the huge succes of rugby 7s in the last years I start to wonder if there are special rugby 7s coaching courses? Thank you.

Archived User Coach

Flanker protecting the Scrum Half?How can a Flanker?

Flanker protecting the Scrum Half? How can a Flanker protect the Scrum-Half at a scrum without holding on to the oppositions Scrum Half? Also any advice for an Openside flanker on tackling the fly-half from scrums?

Archived User Coach

what are the rules of tag rugby?

what are the rules of tag rugby?

Chris Mason Coach, England

RFU - proposed Mini's rule changes

RFU - proposed Mini's rule changes%3A All - just a quick straw poll%3A Have any CLUBS that you are aware of officially come out in SUPPORT of these changes? If not, have they come out officially rejecting the proposed changes, or are they adopting a "wait and see" attitude? Regards Stephe

Archived User Coach

Hello, i am after some help with planning a half hour?

Hello, i am after some help with planning a half hour session in off loading out of the tackle

Archived User Coach

Position discipline!

I am a coach with an under 10 rugby side. Last season the team found it hard to stay in their positions (acting like a swarm of bees). Can anyone suggest how i can get them to stay in positions, particulary our backs.

Lindsay james Coach, England

First time coaching the U13s next season - any tips greatly appreciated!

I have just started helping our head coach with under12's team. He wants to retire and has put me forward to be head coach next season. I am a little worried on how i should aproach training with the boys, going to a full 15 a side team on a full pitch. Any ideas would be greatly appreciated.

Archived User Coach

Shortened lineup. Where should my forwards position themselves...?

Any advice as to where rest of forwards should line up without getting in way of fly half and other backs for example in a 3 man lineout?

Archived User Coach

Can you put 5 players into a scrum in a 7 a side game?

Can you put 5 players into a scrum in a 7 a side game?

Archived User Coach

Inclusive rugby - Any tips and advice from coaches who have experience coaching kids between 2-7 years and children with special needs

Hi folks, I have been coaching children from 7 to 16 years for along time. I now have a new challenge. We are opening rugby up for children from 2 years to 7 years. We will also be holding classes for children with special needs and would appreciate any tips or dialogue with coaches who have any experience. I look forward to exchanging views and results with any coaches willing to share. We will hold a few test sessions in the near future and will stay in touch. Many thanks. Kieron .Hong Kong. ( rugby for all)

Kieron Combes Coach, Hong Kong
7 COMMUNITY DRILLS
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Skill 3 : 7s passes

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7 WEB VIDEOS
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New Zealand put on sevens CLINIC! | New Zealand v South Africa | HSBC London Sevens Rugby

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